Well, rosemary and thyme are pretty similar, right? Does that mean they can be used in place of each other?

The answer may surprise you.

Below, I describe exactly what rosemary and thyme are and what they are used for. Then I talk about the differences and similarities between them before answering the big question, can I substitute rosemary for thyme?

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What Is Rosemary?

Rosemary is a Mediterranean herb used in many dishes like soups, sauces, and roasts. It is a large, colorful plant most commonly grown in your garden. Depending on the rosemary plant, it can grow up to 6-8 feet tall and wide. The leaves are a deep green with a needle-like shape.

To learn more about rosemary, check out this article.

What Is Rosemary Used For?

Like thyme, rosemary is most commonly used in cooking. However, it has other uses as well. Some people use it to treat minor ailments like anxiety and joint pain. Some people get it just for its appearance. Still, others get it because it wards of nasty pests in your garden.

To learn more about the uses of rosemary, check out this article.

What Is Thyme?

Thyme is a small herb with clusters of small leaves growing atop a thin stem. It is very similar to other herbs like rosemary, sage, and marjoram.

Thyme is a Mediterranean herb similar to rosemary that is commonly used in cooking. It is most often used in dishes of European, British, Mediterranean, African, Latin, Central American, American, and Caribbean decent.

Cooks love to use fresh and dried thyme in their dishes, so it is commonly found in supermarkets across the globe.

Like rosemary, you can also grow your own thyme. Thyme is a very hardy herb that can be grown in the garden or your home. It’s not hard to grow, so you can easily and quickly add it to your garden. If you keep thyme indoors, it will even grow year-round so that you always have a fresh source of thyme for your dishes.

What Is Thyme Used For?

Cooking

As we said above, thyme is most often used in cooking. Cooks use it to season dishes either as a blend of other spices, or as a garnish. Thyme is very healthy and can fit into almost every person’s diet. People are very unlikely to be allergic to thyme or have any other dietary complications with it.

There are two varieties of thyme that are most commonly used in cooking: common thyme and lemon thyme. Lemon thyme looks the same as common thyme, but it smells and tastes like lemon.

Appearance

Not everyone uses thyme to cook though. Some people simply like the way it looks in their garden. For these purposes, the wooly thyme, creeping thyme, elfin thyme, and wild thyme are better, more aesthetic options.

These varieties are better suited for use in rocky terrain in your garden and don’t taste good for use in cooking.

Ancient Uses

In the past, thyme was not always used for cooking. Instead it was used as an antiseptic for embalming in Egyptian practices.

In the middle ages during the period of the Black Death, thyme was again used for its antiseptic properties. It was used to protect against infection and was used to treat skin lesions.

Roman soldiers would trade sprigs of thyme and pin it to their garments as a show of strength and bravery. They would also burn it in their homes before worshipping to clear the air.

Rosemary Vs Thyme

Similarities

Although their tastes have more differences than similarities, they do both have an earthy taste to them. If you pay attention, you’ll also notice that they both taste a bit peppery.

Appearance

The key similarity between rosemary and thyme is how they look. Particularly when they’re crushed or ground, they look almost identical.

Both herbs appear green or brown, so make sure you have your ground spices properly labeled. Even crushed leaves, where the leaves remain mostly intact, look almost identical between the two spices.

Nutrition

Both rosemary and thyme are high in Vitamin A and C, calories, fiber, calcium, potassium, and iron.

Difference Between Thyme And Rosemary

Although these two herbs are very similar, they have many differences, particularly in their flavor.

Taste

Rosemary: this herb has a woody taste to it, and it smells like pine and lemon. It is a very strong herb which is why it’s often used to ward off pests in gardens. The scent is very strong, although usually pleasant for humans.

However, if too much is used, the taste can come off bitter. Because of it’s strong taste and smell, it can easily overpower some dishes if you use too much of it.

Thyme: this herb is much more subtle in its scent and flavorings than rosemary. It’s taste is more sweet and light.

Because of its more subtle taste and smell, it can be used in almost any dish without fear of becoming overpowering. Similar to rosemary, it does have an earthy taste with hints of lemon. However, thyme also has a bit of a minty taste to it.

Nutrition

Thyme has considerably less saturated fat than rosemary, up to 5 times less. Thyme also has more riboflavin than rosemary, but rosemary has more folate.

Appearance

Although the two herbs look identical when crushed or ground, they look quite different as plants.

Rosemary is a large plant, growing up to 6-8 feet tall and wide. It is a woody plant with long, evergreen, needle-like leaves. Flowers are usually small and grow in clusters. They come in colors of white, purple, or blue.

Thyme is much smaller and only grows about 6-12 inches tall and 16 inches wide. This makes thyme much easier to grow in your kitchen. The leaves are also very small and oval shaped. Flowers also appear in clusters but come in colors of pink or purple. The petals are also larger than rosemary flower petals.

Can I Use Rosemary Instead Of Thyme?

So, you’re cooking. Should you use rosemary or thyme?

Can you substitute rosemary for thyme?

Quite frankly, rosemary is not a good substitute for thyme. Rosemary has a very strong odor and taste that can quickly overpower a dish if you replace it for thyme. This is particularly true when the recipe calls for spices like tarragon in addition to thyme.

However, you can use thyme as a replacement for rosemary. Thyme has a much subtler and gentler taste to it. It also goes well with many other spices, so it’s hard to overpower your dishes with thyme. You might find that you even need to add some extra thyme to make up for the lack of rosemary.

So, what is the best substitute for thyme? Marjoram is a similar member of the mint family also used in Mediterranean dishes. It has a similar woody and sweet flavor like thyme.

Final Words

Rosemary and thyme are two of the most commonly used herbs in cooking. Despite their similarities, they have more differences than they have in common.

You can use thyme in place of rosemary as thyme works well in almost any dish. However, rosemary is much stronger and more pungent than thyme, so it’s not recommended to use as a substitute for thyme.

If you can, try to grow both in your garden! You’ll find yourself using them all the time. At the very least, buy both spices to keep in your spice rack. You won’t regret it.

Want to learn more? Click here to read my guide to growing rosemary from cuttings or here for how to freeze rosemary. You can also find all my rosemary guides here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post Can I Use Rosemary Instead Of Thyme? [Must Read] appeared first on Gardening Chief.

But, what’s the best way to use thyme for your cooking? Many people like to use fresh thyme. This is great if you grow your own plant, but it can become pricy if you always have to purchase it at the store.

Instead, drying is a great way to preserve fresh thyme and save it long term. Many people that grow their own thyme plants opt to dry the herb because it preserves it well. Drying it also ensures that you have fresh thyme at your fingertips for months to come.

So, which method is the best method for drying thyme? The oven method offers a lot of great advantages.

Below, I cover why you should consider drying thyme and the different methods you can use to do so. I then answer exactly how do you dry thyme in the oven, how long it takes, and whether you need to wash thyme before drying. Finally, I talk about how and when to harvest thyme and how to store your dried thyme.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

Why Dry Thyme?

Drying thyme is a great way to have the herb on hand at all times. It’s a good way to preserve what you haven’t used so that it doesn’t go to waste.

Drying fresh thyme significantly increases how long the herb will last and be good for use.

Want to know the difference between using fresh and dried thyme? Read my full comparison and substitution amounts here.

How To Dry Fresh Thyme

If you’d like to dry your own thyme, you’re in luck. It’s quite easy to dry thyme, and there are five basic ways you can do it.

Air-Dry: Hanging

When drying your thyme by hanging, you’ll first want to tie the sprigs together with a piece of string. Just don’t create bundles that are too thick or they may not dry out well.

After that, you’ll hang the bundle up somewhere warm with low humidity. Do not place the bundle in direct sunlight. It will take about 1-2 weeks for the bundle to be completely dry.

The downside to this method is that it doesn’t work in all climates. If you live somewhere where there is a lot of moisture in the air, it’s probably not a good idea. Excess moisture will cause your sprigs to mold.

Air-Dry: Trays

This is a similar method to the one above, but you’ll be using a tray instead of hanging your herb. You can choose any flat tray and line it with a bit of parchment paper. You’ll then spread the leaves evenly on the tray and place it in a warm room with little humidity.

The leaves will need to be flipped every 12 hours for even drying. You’ll notice your leaves have completely dried in a couple of days.

Microwave

If you’re strapped for time, this is the quickest method to dry your thyme. Some people don’t like this method though because you may lose some of the flavor.

To start, you’re going to spread the leaves out on a piece of paper towel. You’ll then place another piece of paper towel over top of the leaves. You can then microwave the leaves on high for about 30 seconds.

If your leaves still aren’t dry after that, try microwaving for 15 seconds and then checking on the leaves. Keep drying at 15-second intervals until the leaves have completely dried.

Read my full guide to drying thyme in the microwave here.

Dehydrator

Drying thyme in a dehydrator is a great way to dry your leaves. It gets your leaves dried faster than hanging them would, but it leaves in all the flavor unlike the microwave method.

To use the dehydrator, spread the leaves across the trays. You’ll want to set the dehydrator at about 95 degrees Fahrenheit. You’ll want to check your thyme regularly, but it shouldn’t take more than 2-4 hours.

Oven

Oven drying is my favorite method of drying thyme because it’s simple. It doesn’t require you to purchase any extra equipment like you would have to with a dehydrator. It’s also better than the air-drying method because you’re not limited by your climate. It’s also much faster than air-drying as well.

The only thing you need to be cautious about with the oven is the heat. Too much heat can overcook your thyme leaves and then they will lose their flavor. Ovens typically can’t be set as low as a dehydrator, so you need to check your leaves more often.

How To Dry Thyme In Oven

You’re probably wondering, then, how to dry fresh thyme in the oven. Here are the steps:

1. The first step to drying your thyme in the oven is to preheat your oven. You’re going to set your oven to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, or however low your oven will allow
2. Next, you’re going to lay your thyme on a baking sheet. You can either use whole stems, or remove the leaves from the stems
   • Make sure you only have a single layer of thyme — more layers will interfere with drying
3. Thyme doesn’t like humidity, so leave your oven door ajar to allow moisture to escape. If you need to, you can use a wooden utensil or a piece of cork to prop it open
4. Dry your thyme for 1-2 hours
5. As I said above, you’ll need to be cautious of your thyme becoming overcooked so check on your thyme every 15 minutes after the first hour
6. You’ll know your thyme is ready when it’s brittle and crumbles at the touch

How Long Does It Take To Dry Thyme In The Oven?

How long it takes to dry your thyme in the oven is dependent on what temperature your oven is set, and how much moisture is in the leaves.

Setting your oven to a higher temperature will dry the leaves out more quickly, but you will also risk over cooking them.

Setting your oven to the lowest temperature possible is the best thing for your leaves, but it will take longer.

All in all, it shouldn’t take more than 2 hours for your leaves to dry in the oven.

Do You Wash Thyme Before Drying?

Whether you choose to wash the leaves or not depends on how dirty they are. If you grow the leaves inside, it’s not usually necessary. Also, outside grown leaves usually don’t need washing either unless they appear visibly dirty or if you’ve used pesticides.

In all honesty, you want to avoid washing your thyme leaves because doing so will strip some of the essential oils. The essential oils is what gives thyme its flavor, so you want to avoid eliminating those.

However, if you find that you need to wash them, you can. Lightly rinse the leaves with a gentle stream of water, or cleanse them with a damp cloth. Avoid washing the leaves too heavily.

After washing, be sure to remove any excess moisture. You can pat the leaves dry with a cloth or a paper towel.

Moisture left on the leaves can potentially produce mold during drying, especially if you choose the hanging method. If you choose the oven method, excess moisture will cause the leaves to soften rather than becoming crisp.

Leaves should ALWAYS be dry before the drying process begins.

How And When To Harvest Thyme

For the best results, you should harvest from late spring to early summer just before the plant has bloomed. Flowers usually bloom between June and August, so just be sure to harvest before this time. This is the best time for growing for your thyme, and it’s when the leaves will taste the best.

Also, if your thyme is grown outside, it’s best to harvest it in the morning after the dew has dried. This is when the leaves will have the most flavor.

Harvesting thyme isn’t difficult. All you need to do is prune off about 2/3 of the stem from the tip. This is usually about 5-6 inches. You’re only going to leave the woody ends behind. Try to avoid cutting into this woody section. Doing so many cause your plant difficulty in growing back.

How To Store Your Dried Thyme

When storing your thyme, there are two elements that are your enemy: light and moisture.

Moisture

Never store your thyme if there is any moisture left in the leaves. If there is any remaining moisture, then you need to dry them out more. If you store leaves that still have retained moisture, your leaves will develop mold.

If you’re not sure if the leaves are completely dry or not, there is an easy way to find out.

Simply store your leaves and check on them once a day for at least 3 days. If there is still moisture in the leaves, you will begin to notice condensation building up on the sides of the container. This is your hint that you need to dry the leaves further.

Light

Light is also very bad for your thyme because it’ll make the herb go bad more quickly. If you store your thyme where it can be hit by the light, you’ll find that it loses flavor very quickly.

The easiest way to store your thyme away from the light is to simply store it in a cupboard. You can also use dark glass containers or ceramic containers.

Type Of Container

Overall, when choosing a container, you’ll want to avoid plastics and stick to glass or ceramic. Many plastics are porous and will absorb the essential oils from your thyme. This will cause your thyme to lose flavor.

Also be sure to choose a container that is air-tight. You don’t want to risk any moisture or contaminants getting into your thyme.

Read my full guide to how to store thyme here.

Final Words

Thyme is a very useful herb that adds flavor to so many dishes. If you’re able to, drying thyme is very helpful and convenient. By drying thyme, you’ll have fresh herbs to use in your cooking for months to come. No worrying about going to the store to buy more, or taking the time to harvest your plants.

Fortunately for you, how to dry thyme leaves in the oven is quite simple. By drying your thyme in the oven, you’ll have fresh prepared herbs in a matter of hours just ready to be cooked.

Want to learn more? Find out whether thyme can survive winter here and how to freeze thyme here. You can also find all my guides to growing thyme here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post How to Dry Thyme in the Oven appeared first on Gardening Chief.

Many people that cook frequently like to grow their own herbs. It’s more rewarding than buying them, and it costs less too.

Rather than always using fresh herbs, though, drying can be more convenient. But, which method of drying is right for you? If you’re in a pinch for time, I suggest the microwave method.

Below, I cover all the ways you can dry thyme leaves before going in-depth with exactly how to dry thyme in the microwave, how long it takes and how to store your dried thyme afterwards.

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Why Dry Thyme Leaves?

Thyme is a very popular herb that is used frequently for cooking. Sure, you can go to the store and buy dried thyme or even fresh thyme, but the cost can add up. If you have your own thyme plant, it’s better to dry the leaves yourself.

Drying your own thyme leaves allows you to have fresh dried thyme at your fingertips whenever you need it.

How To Dry Thyme Leaves

There are several different ways to dry thyme leaves. Whichever option you choose really depends on your personal preferences.

Some options are more eco-friendly, but take longer. Some options are quick, but will potentially eliminate some of the flavor.

Microwave

Using a microwave is clearly the quickest option, but many people aren’t familiar with this method. It’s said that drying your thyme in the microwave will cause your leaves to loose a bit of their flavor. Still, this method is great if you’re in a pinch for time.

Using a microwave will allow you to have fresh dried thyme in less than a minute. As far as flavor goes, just be careful not to overcook your thyme leaves. Simply check on your leaves frequently as they’re drying and remove them when they’re finished. Doing this prevents you from losing almost any flavor.

Air-Drying By Hanging

Air-drying is definitely the simplest method, and it’s also the most eco-friendly. You don’t need anything other than your sprigs of thyme and a little bit of string.

All you need to do is bunch up multiple sprigs and tie them together with a bit of string.

Then, you’ll just hang the sprigs up to dry. Choose a location that is warm and dry, but isn’t in direct sunlight.

There are a couple downsides to this method, the main one being time. Hanging your thyme is the easiest way to dry them, but it also takes the longest. It will take about 1-2 weeks for your thyme to dry completely.

Also, this method is incompatible for wet or humid climates. You should only use this method if you live somewhere warm and dry.

Air-Drying With A Tray

Air-drying your leaves on a tray is similar to the hanging method, but is much quicker. Unlike the hanging method, it will only take a couple days for your leaves to dry.

All you need to do is select a baking tray and line it with parchment paper. You’ll place the leaves onto the paper in a single layer. Make sure that you rotate the leaves every 12 hours for even drying.

Dehydrator

Using a dehydrator is one of the best options for drying thyme if you’re low on time. It dries the leaves at a low temperature so that you don’t have to worry about overcooking them.

The downside to this method is that you have to purchase a dehydrator, which can get pricey.

With a dehydrator, you’re going to place the leaves across the trays in a single layer. You’re then going to dehydrate the leaves at 95 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-4 hours.

Oven

The oven method is great because it’s one of the quickest methods, but it doesn’t require you to purchase any special equipment. When using an oven, your leaves will dry out in only 1-2 hours, which is great if you don’t have days to wait.

When drying in the oven, you want to set the temperature to no higher than 150 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re able to set it lower than that, that’s even better.

The problem with ovens is that they can overcook the leaves which will cause them to lose flavor. To avoid this, you’re going to want to check on your leaves every 15 minutes after the first hour.

Also, you need to keep the oven door propped open to let out any excess moisture.

To learn more about the oven method, read our article here.

How To Dry Thyme In Microwave

So, you have a big meal planned tonight and you need dried thyme. You’re running out of time and can’t go to the grocery store to buy some, so what can you do? You have fresh thyme available, but you need it dried.

Not to worry, pop those fresh thyme leaves into the microwave and you’ll be ready to go in under a minute.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Remove the leaves from the sprig
2. Lay the leaves on a piece of paper towel
   • Make sure that you only do a single layer
   • If leaves are laying on top of each other, they won’t be able to dry properly
3. Place a second paper towel over the leaves and the first paper towel
4. Place the leaves and paper towels into the microwave
5. Microwave on high for 30 seconds
6. Check the leaves
   • You’ll know the leaves are finished when they’re brittle and crumble at the touch
   • If they still have moisture, they need to be dried again
7. Continue microwaving in 15 second intervals until the leaves are completely dry
   • The leaves should be dry and brittle, but not overcooked
   • Remove the leaves as soon as all the moisture is gone

How Long Does It Take To Dry Thyme In Microwave?

Drying thyme in the microwave is very quick. For most microwaves operating at high power, the leaves will dry in under 1 minute.

Do You Wash Thyme Before Drying In Microwave?

Really, you want to avoid washing your thyme before drying it if possible. Washing the leaves will strip them of the essential oils that give the herb its flavor.

Washing will also add time to the whole drying process because you can’t dry leaves with moisture on them. Leaves must be completely dry on the outside before you can begin drying them on the inside.

However, if your leaves are dirty, or if you use pesticides in your garden, you can do a light rinse of your leaves. Rinse with just a thin stream of water and gently pat dry with a towel. You’ll likely need to let it air dry as well.

Remember, leaves must always be dry on the outside before you can begin drying them on the inside.

How To Store Your Dried Thyme Leaves

Storing your dried thyme leaves is fairly simple, you just need to know which containers are best.

The main thing you need to know when storing your dried herbs is that they should be in a dry place with little to no light. Moisture can quickly ruin any herb because it causes mold to grow. Light will cause the herb to age more quickly and it will lose its flavor sooner.

The best containers to use are glass or ceramic. Avoid plastics because they are often porous. Porous containers will soak up the essential oils from your thyme, causing the leaves to lose flavor.

Make sure to never store leaves that have any kind of moisture in them. If you are unsure if your leaves are completely dry, just keep a close eye on them. Check the container once a day for any condensation.

If you notice condensation, then you need to dry the leaves more. If you haven’t seen any condensation after a few days, then the leaves are fine.

It’s also best to store your leaves in a cupboard where they will not be exposed to light.

If you do all these things, your dried thyme will be good for about 6 months before it begins to lose flavor.

Final Words

There are 5 different methods for drying herbs. Each method is useful in its own way, it really depends on your personal preferences.

But, if you don’t have a lot of time, I suggest that you use the microwave method. In under 1 minute, you’ll have freshly dried thyme right at your fingertips.

Want to learn more? Click here to learn how to dry thyme in the oven and learn how to freeze thyme here. You can also find all my guides to growing thyme here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post How To Dry Thyme In The Microwave: Quick And Easy appeared first on Gardening Chief.

Anyone that routinely cooks with fresh herbs knows that they can get expensive really fast. Fresh herbs don’t last long, so if you want to always use them, you’re going to be constantly buying them.

So, how do we solve this?

The answer is simple, really. We need to learn how to properly store thyme. Whether we’re storing fresh thyme, dried thyme, or frozen thyme, there are ways to make all of them last longer. We’ll explore that here as well as whether thyme goes bad and how long it lasts.

Want to know the difference between using fresh and dried thyme? Read my full comparison and substitution amounts here.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

Does Thyme Go Bad?

Yes, thyme does go bad, just like any food product will go bad.

Fresh thyme is only going to be good for about a week or two, even when stored properly.

Dried and frozen thyme can last about 6 months when stored properly. Improper storage will drastically reduce the shelf life, though. We’ll get into that later.

How Can You Tell If Thyme Is Bad?

When preparing dried or frozen thyme, you should always label and date your packages. Technically, you can get away with using them for up to a year, but they probably won’t have much flavor. I recommend tossing dried and frozen thyme after 6 months.

But what if you haven’t dated your thyme?

Dried thyme doesn’t necessarily “go bad”, but it will lose its flavor and aroma after a long time. If you’re not sure how old your dried thyme is, try the sniff and taste test. Crush some of the dried thyme between your fingers and smell it, then give it a taste. If you can’t taste or smell much, it’s time to discard it.

If you don’t know how old your frozen thyme is, it’s likely okay as long as you don’t see any obvious freezer-burnt parts.

It’s a lot easier to tell when fresh thyme has gone bad. The thyme will be soft to the touch and will feel slimy. If only small sections are like this, you can always cut them off and use the stuff that’s still good. Thyme has also gone bad if you notice wilting.

Exactly How To Store Thyme

You may be wondering how to preserve fresh thyme. Thyme is going to last a lot longer when it’s stored properly verses when it’s left to fend for itself.

Option 1: Store In The Fridge

So, how do you store fresh thyme? The best way to store fresh thyme is always in the refrigerator.

If you leave your thyme sitting out at room temperature, it’s going to go bad in just one or two days. Keeping your thyme in the fridge will keep it fresh for about two weeks.

To help your refrigerated thyme last even longer in the fridge, you should place it in a bag with a wet paper towel. Use a Ziplock bag that you can close and seal. The damp paper towel will help the thyme retain its moisture and prevent it from going bad so quickly.

Option 2: Dry The Thyme

Drying your leftover fresh thyme will significantly increase the shelf life of the herb. Dried thyme can last for up to 6 months and still be good.

There are five different ways that you can dry thyme: air-dry by hanging, air-dry with a tray, with an oven, with a microwave, or with a dehydrator.

Air-Dry: Hanging

This is the most eco-friendly option because you only need some string to tie up your sprigs. It also takes the longest, though, as it can take up to two weeks for your thyme to fully dry. You also shouldn’t use this method if you live in a cold or humid environment.

Air-Dry: Tray

This method is a bit quicker; it only takes about 2-3 days for the leaves to dry. You’ll line a baking sheet with some parchment paper and allow the leaves to air-dry on the sheet. This method is also not suitable if you live in a cold or humid environment.

Oven

This method is great if you don’t have a dehydrator because it’s fairly quick. It only takes about 1-2 hours, but you do have to be careful not to overcook the leaves. Keep the oven at 150 degrees Fahrenheit maximum, and keep the door propped to let out any moisture.

Read more about drying thyme in the oven here.

Microwave

This is the quickest method because you can have dried herbs in under a minute. However, you need to be careful not to overcook the herbs. You’re also going to lose some flavor with this method.

Read more about drying thyme in the microwave here.

Dehydrator

This is honestly the best method because it’s quick, only taking about 2-4 hours, but you don’t have to worry about your leaves drying out. Dehydrators dry herbs at a low temperature that preserves the flavor and aroma. This method can also be costly, though, because you’ll need to purchase a dehydrator.

Storage

Now you’re probably wondering how to store dried thyme. It isn’t difficult to do, but it can make all the difference for how long your dried herb will last.

Thyme has two natural enemies that you need to avoid: moisture and light.

Light is the lesser of two evils and is easily avoided. Light will cause your thyme to lose flavor more quickly, so you should store your thyme in a dark cupboard.

Moisture is the worst thing that can happen to your thyme because it will cause mold. Fortunately, this is easy to prevent as well. First, make sure that your thyme is completely dry before storing it. If you’re not sure, check on it every day for three days. If there is any moisture left, you will notice condensation. In this case, you simply need to dry your thyme longer.

Assuming that your thyme is completely dry, you’ll now want to avoid any moisture getting into your herb. Simply make sure that you choose a container with a lid that is airtight. This will also prevent pests from getting in.

Another important thing to note is that you should choose a glass container. Avoid plastic which is often porous. Porous materials will absorb any essential oils that the thyme has stored. Essential oils give thyme it’s flavor and aroma. Without them, the thyme is useless.

To learn more about these drying methods, check out our full article here.

Option 3: Freeze The Thyme

If you want your fresh thyme to last more than a couple weeks, freezing is also an option. Freezing is similar to drying in that frozen thyme will be good for about 6 months. After 6 months, it will naturally begin to lose its flavor and aroma.

If you want to freeze your thyme, you can do so by blanching it, flash freezing it, or making it into ice cubes.

Blanching

To blanch thyme, you’re going to boil it for 45 seconds before moving it to a cold-water bath for 10 minutes. After drying it, you can then store it in a freezer bag.

Blanching your fresh thyme is the best option if you want to preserve the texture and color of the herb along with the flavor. Blanching is great if you make a lot of soups, chowders, or stir-fries.

Flash Freeze

Flash Freezing is a good method to keep your herbs separated. Oftentimes, when you freeze herbs and veggies, they freeze together and then it’s difficult to only break off the amount that you actually need. Flash freezing avoids this and makes it easy to only get as much as you need.

To flash freeze, you’re going to separate the leaves from the stems. You’ll line a baking sheet with wax paper and lay the leaves on the paper in a single layer. They can then be frozen in the freezer for easy, individual freezing.

Ice Cubes

Making your herbs into ice cubes is a great option if you like to have things pre-portioned. When you’re ready to use the ice cubes, you don’t need to thaw them, you can just put them directly into the meal you’re cooking.

Most people make their ice cubes with a combination of water and oil which helps preserve the herbs for longer. It’s also a nifty method because you can create a combination of spices inside every ice cube.

Storage

The main thing you need to worry about when storing frozen thyme is freezer burning. Always keep your frozen thyme stored within a Ziplocked freezer bag for protection. Make sure to squeeze any air out of the bag and seal it before storing.

Even if you choose the ice cube method, you should still use a freezer bag. Simply remove the ice cubes from the tray and transfer them to the bag.

To learn more about these freezing methods, check out our full article here.

How Long Does Thyme Last?

How long thyme lasts depends on how it’s prepared and stored.

Fresh thyme will only last for 2-3 days at room temperature, but can last for 1-2 weeks when refrigerated.

Dried thyme can last for up to 6 months when stored in a dark location in an air-tight container.

Frozen thyme can last for up to 6 months when kept in a freezer bag.

Final Words

If you want your fresh thyme to last for a while, it’s always best to store it properly. If you keep it at room temperature, it’s going to go bad in a couple days, and then you’ll have to throw it out. If you keep it in the refrigerator inside a bag, you can extend the life to 1-2 weeks.

Drying or freezing thyme is an even better option. These are great options for preserving your leftover fresh thyme. When stored correctly, frozen or dried thyme can last for up to 6 months and still taste good.

Next time you’re worried about your fresh thyme going bad, don’t! You now know the best way to store thyme.

Want to learn more? Click here to learn how big thyme grows or here for what you can do with thyme flowers. You can also find all my guides to growing thyme here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post How To Store Fresh Thyme: All The Answers appeared first on Gardening Chief.

Many people choose not to grow different plants near each other because they think that the plants will harm each other. This is true in some cases, but in other cases, quite the opposite is true! Many plants do really well together and will even act to help each other grow.

How do they do this, you might be wondering? Some companion plants, like thyme, ward off pests and attract pollinators. Others prevent weeds from growing, and others provide nutrients needed for the other plants to grow.

When you consider everything, companion planting for thyme can have a lot of benefits!

Below, I cover more details about what companion planting is and the benefits of it before talking about what to look for when chosing companion plants for thyme. I then go through the best companion plants for thyme.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

What Is Companion Planting?

Companion planting is a relatively new concept in gardening. It refers to when you plant certain species together so that each plant will benefit the others. Some plants go really well together, while others don’t.

For example, you want to plant species that have similar needs. But, you don’t want those needs to be too similar or the plants will end up competing for resources.

You also don’t want to choose plants that will directly hurt other plants. For example, mint grows using sturdy, hard, underground rhizomes. You wouldn’t want to plant mint with something like rosemary that has a delicate underground root system.

As I said, companion planting is a relatively new concept in the world of gardening. Most of the research and experimentation that has been done has been performed on “farming” crops.

Still, researchers and gardeners alike have been slowly figuring out which garden plants go best with each other, and which ones don’t. Much of this is due to trial and error, growing plants together to see what works and what doesn’t.

What Are The Benefits Of Companion Planting?

Companion planting is great because it allows you to grow multiple species in your garden. Not only that, but all the species work together to support each other so that you have a big, healthy garden.

There are many ways in which companion planting can benefit your garden whether you’re using thyme or other species:

• Certain plants (like thyme) deter pests and attract pollinators
• Ground-covering plants (like thyme) prevent the growth of weeds
• Some plants will provide extra nutrients to the plants around them
• Taller plants can provide shade to shorter plants

Companion Planting Thyme: What To Consider When Looking For What To Plant With Thyme

Thyme is one of the best plants to companion plant with other plants. Thyme is a very easy plant. It’s hardy and can happily grow in most conditions.

It’s used to surviving on a lack of nutrients, so it’s not likely to deprive your other plants of the nutrients they need. Really, thyme is the perfect companion plant because it gives more than it takes.

Pests & Pollinators

One thing that makes thyme so great is that it is a strong-smelling plant. It smells and tastes similar to that of mint, which is a great plant for repelling pests. Similarly, thyme is also great at repelling pests.

If you’re growing plants in your garden that are susceptible to pests, plant some thyme alongside it. You just might find that your plants are protected by the thyme.

The aroma of thyme is great. It smells sweet, and it is a very pleasant smell for us as humans. At the same time, it gets rid of pests. The smell may be so strong that they become confused and are unable to find the plant they really want to feast on. Other times, the smell may be so strong that the pests simply choose to stay far away from it.

Thyme is very good at deterring things like deer, cabbage worms, corn earworms, flea beetles, and tomato hornworms.

Not only does thyme smell good to us and bad to pests, but it smells good to pollinators, too. Thyme is great for luring in bees who will pollinate the thyme as well as all the other plants in your garden.

Growing Conditions

For plants to work well together as companion plants, they need to have similar growing conditions. It’s usually best if the plants aren’t too similar.

If they are, they will often end up competing with each other, so then neither will thrive. But when they are just similar enough, they are able to grow well together.

The biggest thing about thyme is that it needs well-draining soil. Thyme doesn’t do well with a lot of extra water. It is actually better to underwater thyme than it is to overwater it.

Overwatering can cause the plant to wilt and develop root rot. So, thyme probably isn’t going to work well with crops that need really moist soil.

Read more about the best soil for thyme here.

Similarly, sunlight is very important to thyme. Ideally, thyme needs to have 6-10 hours of full sunlight every day. It can survive in partial shade, but it’s not going to grow as well as it would in full sun.

Thyme is also a low-growing plant that creeps across the ground. Because it grows low to the ground, it can be difficult to get enough sunlight when it’s planted around other crops. You should be careful to grow plants that are not excessively tall. You don’t want plants that are going to produce too much shade over your thyme plants.

Weeds

Plants that are susceptible to weeds will also do well with thyme as a companion plant. Thyme grows low to the ground and spreads out. Because it creates such great ground cover, it prevents weeds from popping up.

This will not only help your plants save nutrients, but it will make your garden look nicer. Instead of having to pull the weeds by hand, you can simply grow thyme and let it do the work for you.

Not only does thyme prevent weeds, but it also helps keep the soil moist. This is important for some companion plants that need moister soil to grow.

Best Companion Plants For Thyme

Thyme is one of the best plants to use for companion planting. Here is what grows well with thyme:

• Potatoes
• Shallots
• Tomatoes
• Strawberries
• Eggplants
• Roses
• Salad Burnet
• Blueberries
• Cabbage
• Lavender

Potatoes

Thyme is a great companion to potatoes because potatoes tend to attract potato beetles. In turn, thyme will attract parasitic wasps that eat the beetles, therefore protecting the potatoes.

Thyme also helps potatoes to taste better.

Shallots

Shallots work well with thyme because the herb helps to enhance the shallots flavor.

Thyme also works to deter worms that may feed on the shallots.

Tomatoes

Can you plant thyme with tomatoes? You sure can!

Tomatoes are at extreme risk of hornworms who will feast on them. Thyme works to repel these pests while also enhancing the tomato’s flavor.

Also, if you have a problem with white lilies around your tomatoes, thyme can help get rid of them and helps the tomatoes defend themselves.

Strawberries

Because strawberries are so sweet, they’re often predated by many pests. Thyme is a great companion plant because it helps prevent these pests from going after the strawberries.

Thyme also works well to suppress weeds when planted near strawberries. It also will help keep the ground moist, something that is important for strawberries.

Eggplants

Thyme acts as a great deterrent to garden moths that like to go after eggplant.

Roses

Roses are often in danger from pests like aphids and blackflies, but thyme works to deter these pests.

Salad Burnet

Salad Burnet is a very aromatic plant that will help make your garden smell good in combination with thyme.

Thyme also works really well at just helping this plant thrive in general.

Blueberries

Blueberries need pollination, and thyme can help with that. Thyme will use its alluring scent to attract honeybees which will pollinate the blueberries.

Cabbage & The Cabbage Family

Thyme works really well with cabbage and other crops like it. It helps to deter pests like cabbage worms, cabbage moths, cabbage loopers, flea beetles, and aphids.

Thyme can be planted around cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, and kohlrabi.

Lavender

Thyme doesn’t necessarily offer any benefits to lavender, but it does grow well alongside it. Lavender is an herb from the Mediterranean, just like thyme is. Because of this, they both have very similar growing conditions and do well together.

However, there are some plants that you shouldn’t grow with thyme:

• Chives
• Basil
• Cilantro

Chives

Thyme does best in soil that is sandy and well-draining. Alternatively, chives need soil that is moist, so these two plants don’t do well together.

Basil

Basil does best when it’s planted with vegetables rather than herbs. It doesn’t work well with herbs, so thyme should not be planted with it.

Cilantro

Like chives, cilantro does best with soil that is moist rather than dry.

For this reason, cilantro and thyme don’t work well together.

Final Words

If you’ve ever wondered whether planting certain crops together is a good idea, now you know! Companion planting is a great idea because different plants can work together to help each other be healthier.

Of course, this isn’t true in all scenarios. Some plants don’t do well together at all and should be avoided. Chives, basil, and cilantro do not do well with thyme, and they should never be planted with thyme.

Still, thyme helps a lot more plants than it hurts. Thyme grows great with potatoes, tomatoes, shallots, blueberries, roses, and others.

Thyme produces a strong scent that is pleasing to us, and is pleasing to pollinators as well. It helps bring pollinators into the garden to encourage plant growth for things like blueberries.

It also helps to ward off pests that find the scent disgusting, though. This seems to be the main benefit of planting thyme with other plants: warding off pests. It even prevents the growth of weeds!

Either way you look at it, you can’t go wrong choosing companion plants for your thyme.

Want to learn more? Click here to learn when to plant thyme and here to learn where you should plant it. You can also find all my guides to growing thyme here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post Best Companion Plants For Thyme: What To Plant With Thyme appeared first on Gardening Chief.

Anyone who has cooked with herbs can tell you that it can get expensive. Fresh herbs are the best to cook with, but they can be pricey, and you won’t use very much.

So, what are you supposed to do with all the leftover thyme? It seems a waste to just throw it out. Have you ever asked yourself, “Can I freeze fresh thyme?”

Freezing fresh thyme is a great way to solve this dilemma. Cook with your fresh thyme, and then freeze whatever is left over. Now, to save your thyme for a long time — see what I did there? — you’ll need to prepare it properly before freezing. Don’t worry, you can learn how to do that here.

Below, I cover all your options for freezing thyme as well as exact instructions for how to freeze thyme, how long it lasts and how to best thaw thyme to use it.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

Can Fresh Thyme Be Frozen?

Like many herbs, it is recommended to freeze fresh thyme. Sure, fresh thyme is always the best option when cooking, but this isn’t always possible.

Usually, when you harvest or buy fresh thyme, you’re not going to be able to use it all before it goes bad. This is where freezing comes in.

Options For Freezing Thyme Herb

So, we’ve discussed that freezing is a great way to keep your thyme herbs preserved, but how do you preserve them?

Freeze As-Is

If you don’t want to spend much time prepping, you can always just place the thyme into a freezer bag and into the freezer. Some people will freeze entire thyme sprigs, while others will freeze just the leaves.

But, freezing without any preparation usually isn’t the best idea. Without any prepping, thyme will only stay good in the freezer for about 1-2 months.

Blanching

Blanching is a great preparation option because it helps keep the color and the texture too, not just the flavor. When you blanch thyme, you’re getting rid of some of the woodiness of the plant. Getting rid of the woodiness will minimize the texture and flavor of the herb, but only subtly.

This option is best for when you’re cooking soups, stir-fry, or chowders.

Flash Freeze

Have you ever frozen your herbs and gotten annoyed when you tried to use some later? The herbs just stick together and won’t come apart easily.

If this is the case, flashing freezing might be a good method for you. It prevents herbs from sticking together during freezing.

Ice Cube Trays

Another option to preserve your fresh thyme is to freeze it inside ice cube trays. This method is nice because you’ll place a set amount of thyme into each ice cube spot.

This makes cooking easy because you’ll know exactly how many “ice cubes” you need for your dish and can just thaw that amount. The water and oil in the ice cube tray will also help keep the herb fresher for longer.

Many people like this method because it can be added directly to food while it’s cooking. It’s one of the most popular methods for putting together stews and chowders.

How To Freeze Thyme

How do you freeze fresh thyme? Freezing thyme is quick and easy, even with the prep work involved. If you plan to use it within a month or two, simply stick it into a freezer bag and freeze it.

If you want to keep it longer than that, make sure to prep it first. Blanching, flash freezing, and creating ice cubes are all good options for preserving thyme.

How To Freeze Fresh Thyme Sprigs & Leaves

As I said above, whichever method you choose above will determine how you’ll freeze your thyme. Let’s get into the instructions here.

Freeze As-Is

This method is the easiest:

1. Place your sprig or leaves of thyme into a freezer bag
2. Squeeze out all the air in the freezer bag and close it
3. Place the bag into the freezer

Blanching

Blanching will take a few more steps, but that’s okay because your herb will last longer:

1. Rinse the thyme to remove any debris
2. Boil a pot of water
3. Place the sprigs of thyme into the water for 45 seconds
4. Immediately remove the thyme and place it into a bowl of cold water
5. Allow the leaves to soak in the cold water for about 10 minutes
6. Remove the thyme and place on a paper towel
7. Pat the thyme dry with the paper towel
8. Place the thyme into a freezer bag. You can freeze entire sprigs or just the leaves
9. Squeeze excess air from the bag and close it
10. Place the bag in the freezer after labeling it with the date

Flash Freezing

This method is for anyone who is sick of their herbs sticking together when they’re frozen:

1. Rinse the thyme to remove any debris
2. Place on a colander or on a drying rack for 10 minutes to dry
3. Place the thyme on a paper towel and pat dry
4. Remove the leaves from the stems and place them in a bowl
5. Prepare a baking sheet with a sheet of wax paper
6. Lay the leaves evenly across the wax paper without any overlapping. You should form a single layer with no leaves touching
7. Place the tray of leaves directly into the freezer for 1-2 hours
8. Remove the tray and move the leaves into a freezer bag
9. Squeeze any excess air from the bag and seal it
10. Label the bag with the date and place it in the freezer

Freezing In Ice-Cube Trays

1. Rinse the thyme to remove any debris
2. Take the leaves off the stems
3. Using a knife and cutting board, dice up the thyme leaves
4. Spray a thin layer of oil into the ice cube tray. You could also soak a paper towel in oil and rub the ice cube tray with the paper towel
5. Sufficiently fill each ice cube spot with the diced thyme
6. Fill each ice cube spot with water, but leave a bit of space at the top
7. Finish filling the ice cube spots to the top with a bit of olive oil. At this point, all the leaves should be submerged
8. Wrap the tray with plastic wrap to prevent spilling (optional)
9. Place the ice cube trays into the freezer
10. After the ice cubes are completely frozen, you can remove the cubes from the tray and place them into a freezer bag
11. Squeeze extra air out of the bag and seal it
12. Label the bag with the date and place it in the freezer

Should You Freeze Dried Thyme?

Fresh thyme doesn’t last very long after you’ve harvested it, or if you bring it home from the store. Usually when you use fresh thyme, you’ll have a lot left over. If you can’t use all of it within a weeks time, it’s going to go to waste.

A good way to solve this is to freeze it. Freezing will keep your thyme usable for months. When you freeze your herbs, you’re ensuring that you’re not wasting anything, and it allows you to be prepared for the future.

If you don’t want to freeze your thyme, but still need a way to preserve it, try drying it instead. Drying is another great method for preparing your fresh thyme. Like freezing, drying the herb will make it last for months, saving you plenty of money.

Can You Freeze Thyme Sprigs?

Technically, yes, you can store entire sprigs of thyme in the freezer. However, I don’t really recommend it. Thyme will always last longer in the freezer than it will in your fridge.

Íf you want your thyme to last for several months, you need to prepare it properly before freezing it. Preparing thyme is simply easier when the stems aren’t involved and you just use the leaves.

Still, if you only need to save your thyme for a few weeks, feel free to go ahead and freeze the whole sprig. The leaves will fall off the sprig after they’re cooked, so many people find it easier to just leave them attached.

How Long Does Frozen Thyme Last?

If you freeze whole sprigs without preparation, they’ll probably only last a few weeks before they become freezer burnt.

But, if you prepare your thyme before freezing, you can save it for up to 6 months. Think how much money you can save by prepping and freezing your extra thyme!

How To Thaw Thyme (And Use It)

In most cases, you won’t need to thaw it. You can simply toss the frozen thyme into whatever dish you’re working on, and it’ll thaw on its own. Of course, if you’ve frozen the entire sprig, you’ll need to remove the leaves from the stem first.

In fact, if you do choose to thaw your thyme, it can go bad if you leave it out for too long. Thyme is very thin, so it thaws very quickly. If you don’t use it within an hour of removing it from the freezer, it will become soggy.

If you feel the need to thaw your thyme, make sure you place it into the refrigerator. This will allow the thyme to safely defrost without going bad.

Final Words

Thyme is a very common herb that cooks use all over the world. It’s great to cook with fresh thyme if you can, but that’s not always an option. Fresh thyme doesn’t last for very long, so you usually end up throwing away whatever you don’t use in your meal.

Freezing solves this problem by allowing you to save that leftover fresh thyme for later use. Blanch it, flash freeze it, or make it into ice cubes. The choice is yours.

Want to learn more? Read how to store thyme here. Click here to find out how to dry thyme in the microwave and oven here. You can also find all my thyme guides here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post How To Freeze Thyme [Full Guide] appeared first on Gardening Chief.

This article will answer the big question, “can I freeze sage leaves?” Then, we’ll detail different ways you can freeze this herb and how to freeze it.

After, we’ll share a step-by-step guide for our favorite way to freeze sage leaves.

Finally, we’ll discuss how long it lasts and how to thaw it out for cooking.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

Can You Freeze Fresh Sage Leaves?

You may be wondering, “can I freeze fresh sage?”

The short answer is yes. You can freeze sage leaves. In fact, freezing sage leaves is a great way to preserve this herb for much longer.

There are many pros and cons to freezing sage leaves. Also, there are a few different ways to go about freezing this herb.

Options For Freezing Sage

If you’re looking to keep this herb for a much longer period, then you can certainly add it to the freezer.

The freezer will make the sage taste stronger, but it’ll begin to lose its flavor after about six months or so.

Regardless, you can get creative when it comes to freezing sage. For example, you can do the following:

• Freeze full fresh sage leaves or crushed sage leaves in a plastic bag
• Place fresh full sage leaves or crush sage leaves in ice cube trays with water
• Put the fresh full sage leaves or crushed sage leaves in an ice cube tray with cooking oil
• Mix fresh sage herbs (full leaves or crushed) with other herbs in an ice cube tray with water, oil, or put them in a plastic bag

You don’t need to stick with the one freezing method, either. For example, if you have a lot of sage leaves, you can freeze some in a bag and others in an ice cube with water.

For example, if you know what you’re going to use the sage for, you can freeze them accordingly so that it’s easier for you to add them to your recipes later.

How To Freeze Sage Leaves

There are a few different methods you can use to freeze sage. As mentioned above, you can freeze sage alone, in water, oil, or mixed with other herbs.

One way you can freeze sage is to simply put the full sage leaves in a plastic bag or freezer-safe bag. Then, you can place it in the freezer.

That’s all there is to it. You don’t need to add paper towels to the bag or anything. The leaves on their own will be fine in the bag.

However, be sure to lay the sage leaves down in a single layer. Otherwise, if the sage leaves overlap one another, then they’ll get stuck together, and it’ll be harder for you to take them out when you need it.

One of the best ways you can freeze sage is to do so using an ice cube tray.

How To Freeze Fresh Sage Leaves In Ice Cubes

Let’s talk about how to freeze sage herbs as ice cubes. You can customize this method as much as you want.

Step 1: Prepare Your Fresh Sage Leaves For Freezing

First, you’ll want to make sure your fresh sage leaves are ready for freezing. If the leaves are not already picked off the stalk, pinch and pull them off the sage plant’s stem.

Whether you harvested your fresh sage from your garden or bought the fresh leaves from your grocery store, you’ll want to wash the leaves.

Simply run the leaves under cool, running water within your hand or in a colander. Then, dry them thoroughly by patting them with a paper towel or using a salad spinner.

Now, you can leave the leaves whole or cut them into smaller pieces. Alternatively, you can chop them up into tiny pieces so that it’s easier to fit into the ice cube tray.

We recommend chopping them up so that you can measure out the amount as well.

Step 2: Measure The Amount Of Sage To Add To The Ice Cubes

Before adding your chopped sage leaves to the ice cube spots, measure out the amount you want in each spot.

You don’t need to measure it out if you don’t want to, but adding one or two tablespoons of sage to each spot is a good idea.

This way, when you need to pop out the ice cubes and use the sage for cooking, you know how much you have in each cube. In addition, it’ll be easier for you to toss the sage into a recipe without needing to thaw out the ice cube and measure out the amount of sage you put in there.

Step 3: Add Water, Oil, Or Other Herbs To The Ice Cubes

Once you’ve measured out your sage and put them in each ice cube spot in the tray, now it’s time to fill it with something else.

First, you can add other herbs with it if you want. Then, when you need them later for a dish, you can add mixed herbs to the recipe.

Whether you add other herbs or not, you need to decide whether to add water or oil for your sage leaves to freeze in.

Water will allow your sage to freeze well, and you can toss an ice cube into any recipe, such as a soup or stew.

On the other hand, you can measure out cooking oil. Then, if you need the sage for flavoring of another dish, you can toss it in a pan. The sage will thaw in the pan with cooking oil, killing two birds with one stone for your recipe.

If you decide to add cooking oil rather than water, make sure to measure it out. For example, if you have certain recipes in mind, you can measure the amount of cooking oil and sage leaves to complete part of the recipe.

Step 4: Once Frozen, Store The Cubes In A Bag

Once your sage leaves are frozen solid in the ice cube tray, you don’t want to leave them there. If left in the tray, they could get freezer burn.

So, after about 24 hours or so, check on them. If they’re frozen, you can pop them out of the ice cube tray and put the cubes in a plastic bag. Then leave them in the freezer.

Label the plastic bag to know how long the sage has been frozen.

If you have more, now you can use the ice cube tray again to freeze more sage or other herbs.

Should You Freeze Dried Sage?

Did you know that dried sage leaves can last for one to three years? As long as they’re appropriately stored in a clear glass container or jar with a tightly closed lid, your dried sage does not need to be frozen.

You can undoubtedly add dried sage to ice cube trays if you plan to use them for a soup or stew later on, especially since you can freeze sage in oil rather than water.

However, it’s easier to store it in a container rather than the freezer.

How Long Does Frozen Sage Last?

Freezing this herb will keep its flavor strong for up to six months.

However, sage can last for about a year in the freezer.

When putting sage leaves in the freezer, be sure to label the bag or whatever you freeze it in with the current date. Then, you can keep track of how long the sage leaves may last.

How To Thaw Sage (And Use It)

Depending on how you freeze your sage leaves (and what you need to use them for), you won’t need to worry about thawing them at all.

For example, if you froze sage leaves in an ice cube and you need it for a soup or stew, then you can put the ice cube directly into the pot while it’s cooking.

It won’t hurt the recipe or the flavor of the dish to put the ice cube directly in the pot.

Alternatively, if you didn’t freeze your sage in an ice cube tray or you need the herb for meat, then you can thaw it as you would anything else.

For instance, you can leave the sage on the counter over a paper towel or plate. Then, when it’s melted enough, you can add your sage to whatever recipe you’re currently cooking.

However, if it’s in an ice cube, you can leave it in a bowl or plate and wait for it to melt. Then, you can simply take the sage leave and add it to the other ingredients.

Luckily, you won’t need to wait too long for it to thaw. If it takes a while, you can rinse it under some warm water. It won’t harm the herb at all.

Final Words

Freezing fresh sage leaves is a great idea to have them last longer. In addition, it’s a great way to pre-measure this herb for specific recipes and have it at the ready when you begin cooking.

Luckily, freezing this herb is simple and easy to do.

Want to learn more? Click here to find out how to dry sage and here for what to plant with sage. You can also find all my guides to growing sage here or find out how ground sage compares to dried sage here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post How To Freeze Sage [Full Guide] appeared first on Gardening Chief.

But what grows well with sage?

This article will explain some of the best plants to grow alongside sage.

But first, we’ll discuss what companion planting is and the benefits of companion planting.

Then, we’ll go more in-depth about what to look for when companion planting with sage. After, we’ll explain some fruits, vegetables, and other herbs that are excellent choices to companion plants with sage. 

Finally, we’ll explain what other plants to avoid placing near sage and whether or not companion planting can work with sage being grown in a pot. 

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

What Is Companion Planting?

Companion planting is a strategic way to grow the plants in your garden.

For example, you can place like-minded plants near each other so that they’ll help one another grow well and thrive.

When we say like-minded plants, we mean plants with similar growing conditions—for instance, similar soil, watering needs, and sunlight needs.

What Are The Benefits Of Companion Planting?

Companion planting is one of the best ways to help your plants grow in your garden.

The biggest benefit is that you’ll have a full garden filled with luscious plants that have grown to their full potential.

You can provide all you can to your plants when it comes to watering and sunlight, but then the plants need to root themselves and grow on their own.

Companion planting allows your plants to support one another so the whole garden can thrive.

What To Consider When Looking For What To Plant With Sage?

Believe it or not, companion planting isn’t as simple as placing plants near one another in the garden. First, they need to be compatible.

This means that you’ll want to place plants beside one another with similar growing conditions. Also, some plants are great pollinators to attract certain insects and keep pests away.

Growing Conditions

First, let’s discuss the growing conditions.

Sage prefers to have well-draining soil that’s sandy or loamy. Also, they don’t need a whole lot of water to survive. When first planted and in the early stages of growth, you’ll want to provide daily water. However, sage doesn’t need to be watered every day once it’s mature.

In addition, sage thrives on full, direct sunlight. So you’ll want to place it in a spot in the garden that gets about six hours of sunlight per day.

With this in mind, you’ll want to plant sage near other plants that have similar growing conditions.

For example, plant it beside other plants that prefer well-draining soil and little water.

On the other hand, sage can grow about two feet tall. So, you can plant it around other plants that thrive on a lot of sun. Or, you can place it in front of another plant that prefers to get little sunlight.

This way, when the sun is at its peak, your sage will absorb the sunlight and protect the other plant with shade. 

Pollinators And Pests

In addition, sage is a great pollinator. It can attract butterflies, bees, and other insects that help pollinate the other plants to allow them to thrive.

For example, you can have more than one sage plant. One for harvesting and another to let the flowers bloom. This will certainly attract more pollinators to your garden.

On the other hand, sage repels certain pests from the garden. For instance, growing sage near cabbage will repel certain pests that feed off of cabbage. Also, the sage can help boost the flavor of your cabbage.

Best Companion Plants For Sage

Let’s talk about some of the best sage companion plants you can grow to make the most out of companion planting.

Companion Planting With Vegetables

Sage can be planted near various veggies. For example, you can plant the following near this herb:

• Broccoli
• Brussel Sprouts
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Collard Greens
• Kale
• Kohlrabi

For most of these vegetables, sage can repel certain insects and other pests that will often come to feed upon these veggies.

Rust flies especially go after carrots. Luckily, due to the strong odor of sage, this herb will keep the rust flies away.

Sage’s odor masks the scent of carrots, so it seems as though carrots aren’t in your garden at all.

In addition, sage can boost the flavor of some of these veggies, such as cabbage. 

Companion Planting With Fruits

Fruits are similar to vegetables when it comes to benefitting from sage. For instance, strawberries and tomatoes are excellent fruits to grow near this sage.

Sage will keep away certain pests from these fruits to allow them to grow well. Also, the sage attracts many pollinators that will help the fruits (especially the tomatoes) grow well.

In addition, the sage herb can help boost the flavor of some of these fruits, such as the strawberry plant. 

Companion Planting With Other Herbs

In addition, you can plant sage near plenty of other herbs. For example, you can have a herb garden without other fruits and vegetables if you only want to grow spices.

Common herbs that are great to companion plant with sage are:

• Lavender
• Oregano
• Rosemary
• Thyme

These herbs are great paired with sage because of their growing conditions.

For example, the herbs listed above prefer to have the same environment to be planted in. Also, they all require the same type of soil, which is well-drained and sandy or loamy in texture. 

Due to this, they have similar growing conditions, so you won’t need to worry about watering as much. This means the roots of one plant won’t be overwatered because of another plant.

What Not To Plant With Sage

On the other hand, while sage does well with many other plants, there are certain plants that it’s not compatible with.

For example, some plants you’ll want to avoid companion planting with sage are:

• Basil
• Chives
• Cucumber
• Fennel
• Garlic
• Onions
• Rue
• Shallots

Some, such as the chives, garlic, onions, and shallots, have different growing conditions than sage. For instance, these plants prefer to have a lot of moisture when grown.

Since sage doesn’t like having a lot of water, this can cause your sage plant to get overwatered. Thus, its roots will continuously be moist and rot, killing the sage plant.

On the other hand, sage can stunt the growth of cucumbers. When this happens, the cucumber can still grow, but you’ll get fewer harvests from it. Also, the sage can make your cucumbers taste bad.

On the flip side, rue can stunt the growth of sage. So, you’ll want to grow these two as far away as possible so that your sage can grow well while boosting the other plants around it. 

Can You Companion Plant With Sage Inside A Pot?

The short answer is yes. You can still utilize companion planting with sage while growing in a pot.

For example, sage can grow up to 1.5 feet wide and up to two feet tall. If you don’t want it to grow that big or you’re afraid it might take over your garden, then you can certainly grow it in a pot.

This way, you can move the pot around to different areas. For example, you can bring your sage plant inside during a harsh winter, so it continues to grow well.

However, you can leave the pot inside your garden either in the middle or on edge. By being close to your other plants, you can still get companion planting benefits.

Another benefit of companion planting your sage in a pot is that you don’t need to worry too much about similar growing conditions.

For instance, you can place your sage near a plant that requires a lot of water or a different type of soil. Neither plant will be affected because your sage will be separated in the pot.

Final Words

Sage is not only a great herb to grow for harvest and eating, but it can also give your whole garden a boost.

For example, sage can be planted near various fruits, vegetables, and other herbs to help them grow. In return, these other plants can help your sage, as well.

If you’ve never tried companion planting before, it’s certainly worth it. Sage is a hardy herb, and it’s easy to grow. So, it’s a great plant to try companion planting with if it’s your first time.

Want to learn more? Click here to find out how to dry sage and here for what to plant with sage. You can also find all my guides to growing sage here or find out how ground sage compares to dried sage here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post Best Companion Plants For Sage: What To Plant With Sage appeared first on Gardening Chief.

Did you know you can dry out this herb in many different ways? One of them is in the oven, and that’s what we’ll discuss in this article.

First, we’ll talk about why you should dry sage in the first place and its benefits. Then, we’ll share some different methods of drying out sage before talking about how to dry sage in the oven with a step-by-step guide.

We’ll also include how to wash your sage leaves and how long it’ll take to dry them out in the oven.

Finally, we’ll share how and when to harvest your sage plant and then how to store your dried sage leaves, so they last as long as possible. 

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

Why Dry Sage?

There are many reasons why you should dry out your fresh sage leaves. One of those reasons is so that you can keep and use your sage leaves longer.

For instance, drying out herb leaves keep much longer than fresh leaves.

So, if you use sage often enough, you can keep it all year long for various recipes.

In addition, you can harvest your sage plant often enough, and drying out the leaves will ensure that none of it goes to waste.

Finally, you can buy dried sage leaves from your local grocery store. However, there’s a certain satisfaction about drying it out yourself. Also, you know how the herb was grown and that it was well cared for without any chemicals.

Read my full guide to how dry sage compares to fresh sage here.

How To Dry Fresh Sage

Did you know that you can dry out fresh sage leaves in four different ways? There’s no one right way over the others, and it’s all about preference and what you have in your kitchen.

For instance, you can dry out your sage leaves by using the following methods:

• In the open air
• In a dehydrator
• In the microwave
• In the oven

This article will discuss how to dry fresh sage leaves in the oven.

Using the oven is an excellent way to dry out your herbs because it’s low-maintenance to do. Of course, once it’s in the oven, you’ll want to check on it from time to time, but there’s little work and effort for you to do.

Also, drying sage leaves in the oven is relatively fast, and you can dry out many leaves at once, depending on how big your oven is.

How To Dry Sage In Oven

So, let’s talk about how to dry sage leaves in the oven. 

Step 1: Turn On The Oven To The Lowest Temperature

First, you’ll want to preheat your oven to the lowest temperature setting. This temperature will vary from oven to oven, but 170 degrees F is a good mark.

While that’s preheating, you can move along to step two.

Step 2: Prepare The Sage Leaves

Next, you need to prepare your sage leaves for the oven. To do so, remove the sage leaves from the stems.

Then, rinse the leaves under cool, running water. Dry them entirely so that no moisture ends up in the oven. Otherwise, your leaves will cook rather than dry out. You can dry them completely by patting them with a paper towel or using a salad spinner.

Once your leaves are rinsed and dried, then you can use a sharp kitchen knife to chop the leaves into smaller pieces.

However, you don’t need to chop the leaves into smaller pieces. Instead, you can dry out the whole leaves and then crush them after drying with your hands or a mortar and pestle. 

Step 3: Place The Sage Leaves On A Baking Sheet

As soon as that’s done, you’ll want to prepare the backing sheet. Place parchment paper or a non-stick baking sheet in the pan before spreading the chopped sage leaves onto the baking pan.

Make sure you lay the sage leaves in a single layer on the baking sheet. Otherwise, any leaves underneath some leaves won’t dry out properly.

Depending on how many baking sheets you have or how big your oven is, you may need to dry out the sage leaves in batches.

Step 4: Put The Sage Leaves In The Oven, Checking Occasionally

Now, you can finally put your sage leaves in the oven. This process should take about an hour before your herb is completely dry.

However, you can’t put the leaves in and walk away for an hour. So you’ll need to check on them every 15 minutes to ensure they’re not cooking or burning.

After about 30 minutes or so, you can turn the baking sheet around to ensure that all sides of the leaves get dried out, but this isn’t necessary.

Depending on how many leaves you have, this process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.

Step 5: Let Your Sage Leaves Dry And Then Store

Once your sage leaves are completely dried out, take them out of the oven. Don’t forget to turn your oven off (or you can put in a new batch of sage leaves). 

Then, when your dried sage leaves are completely cooled, you can store them in a glass container with a tight lid.

How Long Does It Take To Dry Sage In The Oven?

Drying sage leaves in the oven should take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. However, to ensure it’s dried well, an hour will be ideal.

Of course, this can depend on a few factors. Every oven is different so the lowest temperature setting will vary. Depending on the temperature, your sage leaves might dry faster, or they could dry slower.

This is why it’s essential to check on your sage leaves every 15 minutes. So you can see how quickly and how well it’s drying.

After you dry out these leaves the first time, make a note of how long it took. Then, you’ll know for next time the approximate time it may take.

Do You Wash Sage Before Drying?

While it’s not necessary to wash your sage before drying, you should.

You can get fresh sage leaves from your garden. In that case, you know how the plant was grown and know where it came from. Also, chances are you didn’t use any herbicides or pesticides in your garden, so you shouldn’t need to rinse your sage.

However, it doesn’t harm the sage leaves, and by rinsing it off, you can ensure there are no pests or dirt on the leaves when it gets dried.

On the other hand, you’ll want to rinse your fresh sage leaves if you buy them from the grocery store. Unless it’s organic, it could have been grown with chemicals. Even if the herb is organic, you want to ensure there’s no dirt or anything else on the leaves. 

In other words, you should wash your sage before drying it out to ensure it’s healthy and safe to eat later.

How And When To Harvest Sage

The best time to harvest sage is in the early morning after the dew has dried off the leaves.

Then, take a look at the leaves and choose healthy leaves that aren’t yellowed or shriveled. Healthy leaves should be pinched off the stems from the leaf’s stem.

During a single harvest, you’ll want to only take about one-third of the healthy leaves. This will allow the other leaves to continue growing and help new leaves generate.

If you notice any flower buds producing, you can pinch those off as well. This will also encourage the sage plant to continue producing sage leaves.

However, this is a good sign if you see flowers beginning to bud. You can be sure that your leaves will have the strongest flavor at this point. So, you can harvest the leaves and pick off the buds to encourage new growth.

Alternatively, you can snip stems from the plant that hold onto multiple healthy leaves. However, you’ll want to leave at least two inches of the stem from the base of the soil to ensure the stem continues to grow and produces more leaves.

You can expect your first harvest to occur about 75 days after planting your sage. This is when the plant will be mature enough to give you fresh, healthy leaves.

How To Store Your Dried Sage

The best way to store your dried sage is to place it in a clear glass jar with a tight lid.

After you dry out this herb and it’s cooled completely, you can add it to the jar and put the lid on tightly to keep it fresh and ensure the dried leaves will last as long as possible.

Believe it or not, dried sage leaves can last up to three years if stored properly.

Final Words

Sage is a great herb to have in your kitchen for several recipes. Drying out the leaves will ensure that you can keep your harvests longer.

Using the oven is one way to dry out these leaves, and it’s also effective.

Want to learn more? Click here for my full guide to drying sage in the microwave and here for how to freeze sage. Find all my guides to growing sage here or read how ground sage compares to dried sage here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post How To Dry Sage In The Oven: Quick And Easy appeared first on Gardening Chief.

However, there are pros and cons to drying sage in the microwave.

This article will explain why you should dry your sage leaves and their benefits. Then, we’ll share some of the various methods you can use to dry your fresh sage leaves.

After, we’ll go more in-depth about how to dry sage leaves in the microwave through a step-by-step guide. 

Finally, we’ll include how long using the microwave takes when drying herbs, how to wash sage before drying it out, and finally, how to store your dried sage herbs, so they last as long as possible. 

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

Why Dry Sage Leaves?

If you use sage a lot within your recipes, then you should undoubtedly dry out your fresh sage leaves.

For example, drying sage leaves elongates this herb’s lifespan. Therefore, you can store dried sage leaves and use them for many years to come.

Also, you can get more harvests out of the sage plant. For instance, when leaves are ready to be harvested, but you’re not ready to use them yet, you can still harvest the plant.

So, more leaves will grow so you can harvest them again soon, but the leaves won’t go to waste because you can dry them out. 

How To Dry Sage Leaves

Drying sage leaves in the microwave is not the only way to dry them out. For instance, you can also dry sage leaves using the natural air, in a dehydrator, or an oven.

Learn more about how to dry sage leaves in an oven here.

There are some pros and cons to drying herb leaves in the microwave, as with every method. On the one hand, drying sage leaves in the microwave is the quickest method.

However, drying herbs in the microwave can spark a fire. So, you need to be careful and watch the herbs dry to ensure it remains safe.

How To Dry Sage In Microwave

So, let’s go over how to dry sage in the microwave with a step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Wash And Prepare The Sage Leaves

Once you’ve harvested or bought your fresh sage leaves, it’s time to prep them to dry out.

First, you’ll want to pinch the leaves off the stems if they haven’t been taken off the plant’s stems already.

Once that’s done, it’s time to wash the leaves. You can rinse them off by letting them sit in cool, running water. You can rinse them carefully in small batches at a time with your hand or let them soak in a colander.

Then, it would be best to dry them thoroughly before putting them in the microwave. You can pat the leaves dry with a paper towel or let them dry in a salad spinner to ensure all the moisture is gone.

Then, you can place the leaves in a single layer on a microwave plate. Depending on how many leaves you have, you’ll have to dry the leaves in multiple batches.

If you want to fit more on the plate, you can always take a sharp kitchen knife and chop up the leaves into fine pieces and then dry the leaves.

Step 2: Microwave The Sage Leaves In 30-Second Intervals

Now you can microwave your sage leaves. It won’t take long at all, so it’s easy for the leaves to burn or catch on fire.

When putting the sage in the microwave, make sure to turn it on for 30-second intervals. If the wattage of your microwave is over 1,000, then you might want to have the sage leaves go through the microwave in 15-second intervals instead.

After about two to three minutes, your sage leaves should be dried. If you notice there’s still some moisture on the leaves, then you pop them back into the microwave for about ten to 15 seconds.

Step 3: Allow The Dried Sage Leaves To Cool And Then Store

When the leaves are finally dried, allow them to cool completely. If you hadn’t already chopped the leaves, you could do so now.

The dried sage leaves should crumble at the touch of your hand so that you won’t need a knife. Or, if you want it to be fine, you can crush the dried leaves with a mortar and pestle.

Once they’re crushed and cooled, then you can store your dried sage leaves in a clear, glass container with a tight lid. The dried leaves will last you for at least six months.

How Long Does It Take To Dry Sage In Microwave?

If you need a quick method of drying out your sage leaves, then the microwave is the way to go.

In general, it takes about two to three minutes to dry out the sage leaves completely. However, the timing will depend on the wattage of the microwave you have.

This is why you want to put your sage in the microwave for only 15 to 30 seconds at a time. You can check to see how long your microwave takes to dry a batch of herb leaves.

Do You Wash Sage Before Drying In Microwave?

Yes, it would be best if you washed your sage before drying it in the microwave.

If you harvested the sage leaves from your garden, then you’ll know how it was grown and where it came from. However, dirt and bugs could still be on the leaves. So, washing it allows you to ensure that the leaves are clean.

On the other hand, if you buy fresh leaves from your local grocery store, then you’ll want to wash them. Organic herbs shouldn’t have pesticides or herbicides on them, but you still don’t know where the herbs came from.

It’s always best to be safe than sorry. However, after you wash your sage leaves with running, cool water, make sure that the leaves are dried completely before you dry them out in the microwave.

For example, you can dry them of all the moisture by dabbing them with a paper towel or using a salad spinner. 

How To Store Your Dried Sage Leaves

The best way to store your dried sage leaves is in a clear glass jar with a tight lid. You can recycle a jam jar or use mason jars that you may have around your house.

By covering the dried sage tightly, it’ll last you at least six months. After that, the flavor will become more subtle. However, dried sage can last up to three years if stored well.

Final Words

If you’re in a hurry to dry some sage leaves for a big dinner, then the microwave is the way to go. It’s quick, easy, and it’ll cool faster.

However, using the microwave can also cause issues, such as the sage leaves burning or possibly catching on fire if they’re not dried completely after being washed.

Overall, using the microwave is a good method, but you need to be careful.

Want to learn more? Click here for my full guide to drying sage in the oven and find out how to freeze sage here. Find all my guides to growing sage here.

Gardening Chief is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

The post How To Dry Sage In The Microwave: Quick And Easy appeared first on Gardening Chief.